The top-down strategy followed by GSDA until 2000 called for changing the management mandate of GW by creating participatory mechanisms. The GSDA became obligated to involve the community in the management of the GW, including stakeholders at all levels of the social structure. A participatory approach is considered a viable way to achieve consensus and sustainable resource management. Participation involves taking responsibility, recognizing the effect of sectoral action on other users and accepting the need for change to improve efficiency and enable sustainable development of resources (TAC, GWP 2000: 15 ). Chapter 5 GSDA Phase III –– Participatory Mode (year 2000) onwards) Some discrepancies over the last 50 years in the development and management of water resources in the State have resulted in some critical challenges requiring immediate attention. The winds of change favoring the participatory approach, which swept organizations around the world, reached the GoM in 2000 when it adopted the sector reform approach in the water supply and sanitation sector. sanitation. The current chapter examines in detail the process and challenges that the GSDA faced in ultimately adapting to a participatory approach. To face the new challenges of reforming the sector and ensuring the future well-being of its entire population, the state has planned to create a new institutional arrangement at different levels to guide and regulate water. resource management, to decentralize responsibility for planning, development, management, operation and maintenance functions of water resources. Various committee reports have also recommended community participation in the GSDA arena. The Katti Committee (1986) emphasized community-based water budgeting while the Maharashtra Water and Irrigation Commission (19...... middle of paper.. ....or scrutiny. This would be a new era in GW management. The role of the GSDA will be very crucial. The organization has put considerable effort into developing the bill. workshops to interact with NGOs and experts on this issue Legal Department as Director of GSDA during this period, I have had the opportunity to work hard in this area and witness the entire process. The GSDA needs appropriate political and bureaucratic support to fulfill the new community role which it needs to be strengthened bureaucratically by creating a separate wing to deal with these participatory activities. will pave the way for sustainable management of precious natural resources. The role and organization of the organization that have changed since its inception are shown in the figure. 2.